Adrian Wright (1 July 1947 – 28 November 2015) was an English-Australian actor known for his roles in the 1970s children's television series Freewheelers and the Australian serial Prisoner in which he played nurse Neil Murray.
Early life Wright was born in Maidenhead, England, to Matvyn and Kay Wright. He was one of four brothers, including Martyn, Gareth and Gavyn. His father Matvyn was an artist and animator, best known for illustrating the British Andy Pandy children's books. His brother Gavyn is a violinist and orchestra leader who has worked with artists including Elton John, Tina Turner and Simply Red.
Career Wright first appeared as an actor in repertory theatres in England and Wales. He subsequently moved to Australia where he continued his career.
He appeared as Mike Hobbs in the British children's television series Freewheelers from 1970 to 1972, and was known for his role in the Australian prison drama series Prisoner from 1979 to 1982, in which he played male nurse Neil Murray, after having previously played a minor guest role as a policeman; Detective Graham Lang in episodes 10-12. He also played the recurring role of Phillip Garrick in Carson's Law in 1984. Later in his career, he played Lieutenant Jean Morlais in all 22 episodes of Tales of the South Seas from 1998 to 2000.
He also had guest roles in many prominent television series throughout the 1970s and 1980s, including Division 4, Homicide, Bluey, Chopper Squad, Skyways, Bellamy, Cop Shop, Five Mile Creek and Mission: Impossible. In the 1990s he guested in Janus, Halifax f.p. and Snowy River: The McGregor Saga. He also appeared in several miniseries including Tandarra (1976), Against the Wind (1978), Water Under the Bridge and The Last Outlaw (both 1980), 1915 (1982) and All the Rivers Run (1983).
Wright's most notable film credits include thriller End Play (1975), mystery Summerfield (1977) both of which he appeared in alongside John Waters, World War I film The Lighthorsemen (1987), thriller Gross Misconduct (1993) alongside Naomi Watts and sci-fi comedy horror Body Melt (also 1993).
Wright performed in the theatre with productions for Russell Street Theatre, St Martins Theatre and La Mama, including Travesties, Of Mice and Men, Othello and The Two Tigers, the latter directed by Robert Chuter. He also performed in ABC Radio plays.
Personal life and death Wright was married to Australian actress and singer Abigail until his death.
In 2011, Today Tonight reported that Abigail and Wright were living as squatters in a derelict church. The following evening, A Current Affair correctly reported that they had in fact been living there temporarily, with permission, while their home that had been damaged in the 2011 floods was being rebuilt.
Wright died on 28 November 2015.
Filmography
Film Year Title Role Notes 1975 End Play Andrew Gifford 1977 Summerfield Peter Flynn 1980 Fatness, Foods and Fads Various characters Short film 1980 Energy, Food and Exercise Various characters Short film 1981 The Survivor Goodwin 1986 Sky Pirates Valentine 1987 The Lighthorsemen Lawson 1990 What the Moon Saw Kurt 1990 Friday on My Mind 1992 Come Rain or Shine 1993 My Forgotten Man (ask Flynn) Harold Watts 1993 Gross Misconduct Kenneth Carter 1993 Body Melt Thompson Noble 1995 The Final Stage The Man
Television Year Title Role Notes 1968 ITV Playhouse Ronnie 1 episode: "Premiere: Foxhole in Bayswater" 1969 Judge Dee Demon 1 episode 1971 Jamie Lt. Pascoe 1 episode 1972 The Befrienders Larry 1 episode 1972 Doomwatch David 1 episode 1970–1972 Freewheelers Mike Hobbs 52 episodes 1974 Village Hall Andy 1 episode 1975 Division 4 Dick 1 episode 1975–1976 Homicide Various characters 4 episodes 1976 Andra 1976 Tandarra Paddy Flynn Miniseries, 1 episode 1977 Bluey Geoff Eastman / Alan Palmer 2 episodes 1978 Chopper Squad Tony Cochran 1 episode 1978 Against the Wind Lieutenant Burke Miniseries, 3 episodes 1979 Skyways Tom Davies 3 episodes 1980 Water Under the Bridge Leading Man Miniseries, 1 episode 1980 The Last Outlaw Constable Fitzpatrick Miniseries, 4 episodes 1981 Holiday Island Lindsay Todd 1 episode 1981 Bellamy Terry 1 episode 1981 The Homicide Squad Teddy Carmichael TV movie 1978–1982 Cop Shop 8 roles 17 episodes 1982 1915 Oliver Melrose Miniseries, 4 episodes 1979–1982 Prisoner Graham Lang / Neil Murray 17 episodes 1983 All the Rivers Run Alastair Rayburn Miniseries, 4 episodes 1984 Carson's Law Phillip Garrick 23 episodes 1985 Five Mile Creek The Innkeeper 1 episode 1988; 1990 Mission: Impossible Don Regehr / Captain Hamidou 2 episodes 1989 Space Knights Sir Cuthbert Cosmos (voice) 22 episodes 1992 Cluedo Charles Letan 1 episode 1995 Janus Alex Robbins 1 episode 1995 Halifax f.p. David Onslow Season 1, episode 2 1995 Snowy River: The McGregor Saga John Hardy 1 episode 1998–2000 Tales of the South Seas Lt. Jean Morlais 22 episodes
Theatre Year Title Role Notes 1975 The Revenger's Tragedy St Martins Theatre, Melbourne with MTC 1976 Travesties Russell Street Theatre, Melbourne with MTC 1976 Of Mice and Men Russell Street Theatre, Melbourne with MTC 1976 Othello Russell Street Theatre, Melbourne with MTC 1979 The Two Tigers The Man La Mama, Melbourne with Everyman's Theatre Collective
Radio Year Title Role Notes 1979 Paradise Disdained Stinaslas ABC Radio Melbourne 1979 Kind Hearts and Coronets Hallward ABC Radio Melbourne 1979 Cymbeline Posthumus ABC Radio Melbourne
References
External links